Kevin Dowling

Biography

Kevin Dowling was raised in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. He is the son of Dr. John J. Dowling, who served as chief of orthopedic surgery at Lankenau Medical Center and was a clinical professor at Thomas Jefferson University, and Lynn Dowling. Kevin pursued higher education at Oberlin College in Ohio and later attended New York University. In 1987, he married Marley Klaus, a producer and writer for CBS News' 60 Minutes.

Theater Career

Dowling began his artistic journey in theater, becoming a founding member and serving as the artistic director of The Actor's Ensemble for eight years. During this period, he directed over 20 plays, including the first full-scale New York production of Lanford Wilson's This Is The Rill Speaking and the New York premiere of Dan Lauria's Game Plan. 

He also directed his play, A Child's Piece, and revivals of works by Harold Pinter and Sam Shepard. Notably, he produced Shepard's comedy True West, which enjoyed a two-year run at the Cherry Lane Theatre, featuring actors such as John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, and the Quaid brothers.

His Broadway debut came with The Nerd, which ran for 441 performances at the Helen Hayes Theatre from 1987 to 1988. Dowling also served as the executive producer for the 1988/1989 edition of Forbidden Broadway, an Off-Broadway satirical revue.

Film and Television Career

Transitioning to film, Dowling co-directed The Sum of Us (1994), an adaptation of the play he had previously directed Off-Broadway. The film starred Jack Thompson and a then-rising Russell Crowe. Despite initial resistance due to his theater background and non-Australian nationality, Dowling's perseverance led to the film's successful production.

He continued his film work with Mojave Moon (1996), featuring Danny Aiello, Anne Archer, and Angelina Jolie. Dowling then shifted focus to television, directing episodes for numerous series, including:

Judging Amy

Gilmore Girls

The Mentalist

Heroes

The Americans

The Strain

Bosch

13 Reasons Why

The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead: Dead City

In addition to directing, Dowling served as an executive producer for the USA Network series Necessary Roughness, directing eight episodes over its three-season run.

Awards and Recognition

Dowling's work on The Sum of Us garnered critical acclaim, earning the Best Feature award at the Sydney Film Festival in 1994 and the Best Film Award at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 1995.